Nisar directs for building Martyrs Memorial at D Chowk

ISLAMABAD - Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan yesterday directed Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad local administration to jointly propose a project concept and design of the 'martyrs memorial' to be built at the D Chowk of the capital. The minister gave these directions during a visit of D Chowk situated in front of the Parliament House.

The Ministry of Interior recently had decided to do away with D Chowk to avoid unnecessary calls of the opposition parties to hold protest rallies there. It was decided that D Chowk would be turned into memorial of the martyrs of war on terrorism. "Purpose to build the memorial is to pay homage to thousands of martyrs," the Ministry of Interior in a statement said while quoting Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. “Respectable and live nations never forget those who had sacrificed for the nation and the country,” the minister said.

"The place of D Chowk, a central place in the capital, demands that a memorial should be built there instead of making it a venue of political protests and unrest," the minister said adding that not only Pakistanis but also foreign heads of states used to pay homage to the martyrs at the memorial in front of the Parliament.

The final approval of the project would be taken after prime minister' return from abroad, he concluded.